MUSIC PREVIEW: IAN ASTBURY ON THE REVOLUTION 3 TOUR, THE SONIC EVOLUTION OF THE CULT AND MUCH MORE…

Ian Astbury's commitment and energy has been a staple of The Cult's live performances

by Jacob Cutler

With summer just around the corner, three iconic bands are preparing to hit the road. Stone Temple Pilots, Bush and The Cult will be accompanying each other on the Revolution 3 tour. The Cult, a band of many controversies and sounds will be bringing there iconic sound and frantic stage antics to Boston on July 30. The mysterious group transcends the post-punk label of their early days through singer Ian Astbury and guitarist Billy Duffy’s ability to masterfully straddle multiple genres while reimagining their classic tracks. The Cult continue to keep their fans on surprised despite the fact that their most recent album was released two years ago. The band is currently practicing and curating the ultimate experience for their viewers. In an interview with Artscope Online, Ian Astbury, the lead singer of the Cult, discusses the sonic evolution of the Cult along with possible future projects.

JACOB CUTLER: YOUR TOUR STARTS SOON; WHAT SHOULD FANS EXPECT FROM YOU THIS TIME AROUND?

Ian Astbury: They know what to expect — a fully immersive and passionate show. We are excited to be playing for new fans. We are crafting our set list with iconic songs, deeper cuts. We want to create a narrative.

YOUR SOUND HAS EVOLVED QUITE A BIT SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THE CULT’S CAREER, HOW DO YOU CREATE A SET LIST THAT INCLUDES THESE SOUNDS AND STILL MAKE IT FEEL LIKE A CULT SHOW?

Our live sound is not as diverse as the recording; the basic sound of the song, the guitar tone and my voice stays the same, the DNA of the songs is in us. It does evolve. Every night is different down to the environment. I also know how to access the songs, how to activate them and how to be fully in the song while performing.

IN PREVIOUS INTERVIEWS, YOU HAVE STATED THAT YOU WERE ORIGINALLY A PERFORMANCE BASED BAND AND THAT THE SONGWRITING DIDN’T FLOURISH UNTIL MUCH LATER. AT WHAT POINT DID YOU DECIDE TO HAVE MORE OF AN EMPHASIS ON THE SONGWRITING?

A Flower in a Desert had a really cool chord structure, a lot more minor chords, finding a melody and an atmosphere; we were very shy about songwriting. That evolved over a very long period of time, interesting process. The lifestyle and the environment really pushed to make the electric album.

ARE YOU IN THE MIDST OF WORKING ON NEW MUSIC?

We haven’t set any formal recording sessions, but there’s material lying around. We want to put out more impressionistic songs with less structured songs.

WHAT INSPIRATIONS DO YOU DRAW UPON?

I’ve always been obsessively into early Pink Floyd. That’s an endless muse for me. Bowie too. Bowie’s trilogy is the trinity of recording. Blackstar is an incredible record. It has whole lot of impressions.

YOUR LAST THREE ALBUMS ARE CONSIDERED BY SOME TO BE A TRILOGY; IS THAT SOMETHING THAT YOU WILL CONTINUE TO DO IN THE FUTURE?

When you sign to a label and have certain contractual obligations, they want to schedule a release. When you go into that mindset, the clock’s ticking. Now I leave it alone; I don’t have to finish. I let it gestate, some pieces can finish themselves, they can grow up on its own. If it’s there and its organic that’s great. When it feels right we’ll go record it.

The Cult Will be performing with Stone Temple Pilots and Bush on Monday July 30 at the Blue Hill Banks Pavilion in Boston. Longtime fans and people seeing them for the first time can expect nothing less than true excellence. For ticket information, visit https://www.ticketmaster.com/the-cult-blue-hills-bank-pavilion-boston-ma/venueartist/8310/1440075.